Negotiating a snag list

Myfirsthome

Hi All,

Appologies if this has been covered before, but I am new to the forum.

Im in the process of buying my first house and am due to exchange next week. I'm currently in a bit of a stale mate with the seller over the snag list. The house is a victorian terrace that has been refurbished by the vendor prior to sale, so I know there will be issues with an older property.

My survey and a further damp survey reported a small patch of damp that needs to be resolved at a minimal cost of £80. I've asked for the work to be done by the seller before sale, but he is unwilling to do so.

Should I stick to my guns and insist the work is carried out before sale?

Doozergirl

Over £80?

Is that the whole list from your survey?

I'd be celebrating!

Davesnave

Long answer short: no.

G_M

An £80 damp patch?

Is this a wind-up?

Myfirsthome

No

Again - im a first time buyer so nit sure what to expect! Was looking for honest advice, not sarcasm.

Davesnave

Myfirsthome wrote: »

No

Again - im a first time buyer so nit sure what to expect! Was looking for honest advice, not sarcasm.

The advice we gave you was honest.

The fact that you asked the question at all suggests unfamilarity with the survey process, which being a first time buyer doesn't entirely excuse. As Doozergirl said, one damp patch is trivial and a cause for celebration, not an attempt to wring the last few £ out of your seller, thus alienating them.

There's a wealth of information out there on the subject of house buying, surveys, improvements etc, and you'll need much more when you become an owner. The need to do research never goes away, which is why I wasted about £400 last week by mis-specifying something connected with my property.

At least I'm big enough to hold my hand up and admit I was lazy.

esmy

We bought a Victorian terrace. I would have been thrilled with your survey. The house is over 100 years old.....

Mickygg

Sure, stick to your guns and risk losing the house over £80.

somethingcorporate

Given this is a transaction worth £100ks arguing over £80 seems petty. Which it is!

AylesburyDuck

Myfirsthome wrote: »

Hi All,

Appologies if this has been covered before, but I am new to the forum.

Im in the process of buying my first house and am due to exchange next week. I'm currently in a bit of a stale mate with the seller over the snag list. The house is a victorian terrace that has been refurbished by the vendor prior to sale, so I know there will be issues with an older property.

My survey and a further damp survey reported a small patch of damp that needs to be resolved at a minimal cost of £80. I've asked for the work to be done by the seller before sale, but he is unwilling to do so.

Should I stick to my guns and insist the work is carried out before sale?

Insist away........but be prepared to wonder what that smell is weeks down the line, because if someone is so small minded as to "insist" over £80 then frankly, if you annoy the wrong type seller (or hell even the right type maybe) you are going to be hunting down skillfully hidden prawns all over your new house for months!

Carrot007

Sarky comments asside.

You do not want the seller to do anything, it's not in their interest to get a good job done. So any old bodge job "could" be done.

What is important is what your survey svalueation was. If it's lower than your offer there is room to ask for a reduction. If it's not then they are saying it's worth it including any faults.